Grabbing hold of the HD Ready revolution within the Sheffield community

It's funny how quickly our perception of the world changes? Just when you think you have it figured out someone throws yet another spanner in the works. I specifically chose the word 'our' because the way we view things can sometimes be altered as a collective, as long as that change is thorough enough. Such an example of this happening right now is evident in one of today's most pressing questions, are you HD Ready? Technologies dynamic model has a powerful way of influencing our lives and we have become accustomed to rapid change and now welcome new technology having realized that that new flat screen TV is specifically designed with us, the consumer, in mind. Take my home town of Sheffield; A vibrant community where people choose to converse on everything from the weather to the latest gadgets and a website that offers us a chance to discuss everything that is Sheffield is definitely going to be a hit! We can bring to the attention of other's the latest questions such as, how do we become HD Ready? Technology is influencing everyone's lives in a positive way and it doesn't take long for the benefits of some of these marvelous advancements to filter down to the majority of people - How many people do you now know who have a big TV as the centre point of their living room? The average TV in Sheffield ten years ago was probably about 28 inches, now you can nearly double that size!

Information is key

Access to news on current affairs wasn't obtained from a blog written on a community website, but from local banter down one of Sheffield's locals. We all want more information and technology has allowed data into our lives on a monumental level. Now if we want to know about any upcoming festivals, the latest student events kicking off at Sheffield University, or information on becoming HD Ready, we will probably check on the local website. For this to happen we need to buy ourselves a laptop and get connected to the internet. We all know this is the case and even my Grandfather is now, with a little persuasion, online! But what people might not be aware of is that technology has been specifically designed to provide a great deal of functionality in one complete package - Your HD TV will more than likely have the ability to connect to the internet and being HD Ready is only one of its many creative installations. In fact, everything about it is designed to make our lives easier - including the actual design. The most stylish website is now viewed on a machine that is as slick as a Ferrari Testarossa. However, the key thing we are after is access to that precious information and entertainment; a trip to the local on Ecclesall Road gives us exactly the same thing. A television is a powerful tool that can give us both of these highly sought attributes in the comfort of our living room.

What generation gap?

My Father is a Sheffield man who was born and bred in Yorkshire. He talks with a passion for his city that only a man who was raised in Sheffield could do. Like a typical Yorkshire man he talks with anyone and everyone and when he bought his new LCD TV a recall it taking up about two weeks of conversation. Everyone in Sheffield's city centre knew he had one but his networking wasn't done online like us 'Young-uns' but by bumping into Aunties and Uncles I'm certain to his day aren't really my relations. He knew he had to be HD Ready but didn't quite know what the process of getting 'ready' entailed. He's on the internet and browsers the Sheffield community websites when looking for a bargain, he frequently visits their classified ads but for this single purchase I suggested buying new. I knew he would marvel at high definition and having the chance to chat with a local lad from Sheffield would set him at ease. What was great is the fact that once he had purchased his TV he was so enthusiastic he went about inquiring about a few added extras and the upscaling DVD player he bought was new technology to me. Instead of his old DVD collection becoming reduced to beer mats, he could have the quality given a boost to match up with his new TV. In the end he was HD Ready and smiling ear to ear holding his Toshiba DVD player.

Terminology sneaks in

I can't speak for other communities but I had a firsthand glimpse of how Sheffield became HD Ready. The terminology was non-existent beforehand and now it's a term most people want to bring into their lives. The small TV's covering the windows of outlets in Sheffield have been replaced, with TV's and DVD player's we probably considered 'too big' beforehand. With new technology we are willing to expand our terminology base and concepts such as HDMI are frequently entering into our lives and it is inevitable we take note of them. Our love for film in Sheffield is clear in the abundance of film schools, college courses and movie screenings. The introduction of high definition, along with the wonder of using a DVD recorder to add your favorite films into your collection, can only be a god thing. The Sheffield community, like communities all over the nation, are welcoming in a new dawn in terms of entertainment and being HD ready is a talking point. Whether you like to admit it or not the high definition revolution involves pretty much everyone, and it's for this reason that technological terminology becomes so well known - so quickly. Young and old all want to be entertained and although peoples understanding of the technology may differ, their desire to grab a piece of it will not. High definition gives us a crystal clear picture, showing us details we didn't even know were there, thus making one of our favourite pastimes ever more enjoyable.